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Steve, I think he revealed a lot. For example, I didn't realise the personal trauma he'd been through in 2004 - Steve mentioned that despite the fact it's understandably tough for him to talk about it.

I know you regard him as a arch-villain, but I found him as eloquent, intelligent and modest; someone more interested in talking about the future of the sport, than talking about himself.

One thing he was reluctant to do was to bad-mouth other riders e.g. regarding the incident with Briggo at Reading, what he wanted to point out was that they had bumped into each other in the last year or so and had talked things out.

Of particular interest, I felt, was his reasoning behind any trouble on-and-off track. He clearly had his own code, and if anyone went against that, then he wouldn't hesitate to stick up for himself.

A standard closing question is "Do you look back fondly on your speedway career?". Steve gave one of the most eloquent responses to this, explaining how it had shaped his subsequent life.

All the best

Rob

Funny thing is Rob with his reputation Steve is so misunderstood,a really nice guy speaks well and he was a very good rider should of achieved more.In the Tests for the USA he did great held his own easily and at that time was a great era for me.Also when Kelly died he was there and with the rest of the guys he was really liked good rider tough rider.
Edited March 15, 2016 by Sidney the robin

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Steve, I think he revealed a lot. For example, I didn't realise the personal trauma he'd been through in 2004 - Steve mentioned that despite the fact it's understandably tough for him to talk about it.

I know you regard him as a arch-villain, but I found him as eloquent, intelligent and modest; someone more interested in talking about the future of the sport, than talking about himself.

One thing he was reluctant to do was to bad-mouth other riders e.g. regarding the incident with Briggo at Reading, what he wanted to point out was that they had bumped into each other in the last year or so and had talked things out.

Of particular interest, I felt, was his reasoning behind any trouble on-and-off track. He clearly had his own code, and if anyone went against that, then he wouldn't hesitate to stick up for himself.

A standard closing question is "Do you look back fondly on your speedway career?". Steve gave one of the most eloquent responses to this, explaining how it had shaped his subsequent life.

All the best

Rob

Hi Rob,

Granted and he's obviously mellowed a lot since his racing days and I never doubted his undoubted intelligence (I did communicate with him once regarding what I thought was some sort of feud between himself and Gordon Kennett). There is no getting away from the fact that he could be volatile (Bob Radford has been quoted same regarding Steve's influence in the pits for example) and others who knew him commented same (Didn't he once kick Ian Thomas in his privates?) His reputation, however misunderstood, did go before him! However good luck to him and I wish him well...and how we could do with characters like him in the sport now!

Edited March 15, 2016 by steve roberts

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Granted and he's obviously mellowed a lot since his racing days and I never doubted his undoubted intelligence (I did communicate with him once regarding what I thought was some sort of feud between himself and Gordon Kennett). There is no getting away from the fact that he could be volatile (Bob Radford has been quoted same regarding Steve's influence in the pits for example) and others who knew him commented same (Didn't he once kick Ian Thomas in his privates?) His reputation, however misunderstood, did go before him! However good luck to him and I wish him well...and how we could do with characters like him in the sport now!

Steve, there's no doubt that he was volatile (especially early in his career), and he admits himself that he had a reputation for events off the track. That's why it's interesting to hear his views on that subject.

And yes, the sport is in need of a few more characters these days. Agree totally with that sentiment.

All the best

Rob

Edited March 15, 2016 by lucifer sam

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One of those riders who if he rode for your team was a 'good, hard rider' and if he rode for the opposition was a 'nutter, dangerous, loudmouth' (delete as appropriate!). Definitely a character though and someone the sport could do with right now.

I was very lucky as a boy, to be able to watch a lot of the goings on from the pits at Eastville. Father was friends with someone who worked on the pits gate...and he used to let me sneak in. Never got asked to leave...and would often listen to conversations being made.

Just wish I'd been older, as a lot of it went over my head...but I can recollect a lot of arguments about not being paid money.

Still cherish the autograph book from those days...pretty much got every rider that rode at Eastville during 77/78. Some real legends.

My father often had long conversations with John Scott the USA team manager...he had nothing but good words to say about Steve.

He was always really nice to me as a lad and gave up of his time to always chat. Very fond memories....

Edited March 28, 2016 by Gresham

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I was chatting to Malc at Oaktree Arena back in 1999/2000 about Steve Gresham. He told me some stories about him and I was in stitches! He said he was the scariest rider he ever met, he said SG had no regard for safety nor did he look after his fellow team rider on track. If you got in his way you were gonna get knocked off whether you were on his side or the opposition. Mad Wellie was still quite annoyed at the fact that he lent Gresham a spare back wheel and tyre and he never gave it back - well he couldn't not really... He went back to the US the following week and took it with him.

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I was chatting to Malc at Oaktree Arena back in 1999/2000 about Steve Gresham. He told me some stories about him and I was in stitches! He said he was the scariest rider he ever met, he said SG had no regard for safety nor did he look after his fellow team rider on track. If you got in his way you were gonna get knocked off whether you were on his side or the opposition. Mad Wellie was still quite annoyed at the fact that he lent Gresham a spare back wheel and tyre and he never gave it back - well he couldn't not really... He went back to the US the following week and took it with him.

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Steve and Scott came to Britain together at the same time. You would think they were total opposites, Scott...the humble quiet polite guy, Steve...the arrogant, loud aggressive guy. But Steve off of the track was actually very quiet, polite and well mannered.Competition brought out the worst in him, I saw it first hand!

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Scott was living in a house on the outskirts of Poole when riding for Exeter. Steve was living just off the M4 near Bristol in a cottage, apparently he had a visit from the police after complaints of black choking smoke after he set light to his worn bike tyres.

If you want to find out more about Steve, see John, the machine examiner down at Oak tree arena, he knew Steve well.

If you want to find out more about Steve, see John, the machine examiner down at Oak tree arena, he knew Steve well.

If you want to find out more about Steve, see John, the machine examiner down at Oak tree arena, he knew Steve well.

If you want to find out more about Steve, see John, the machine examiner down at Oak tree arena, he knew Steve well.

If you want to find out more about Steve, see John, the machine examiner down at Oak tree arena, he knew Steve well.